We join with you in bringing this serious matter before the Lord, seeking His justice and mercy together in Jesus name. We thank you for your faithful intercession for the victims and for the upcoming appeal hearing in September. We share your burden that truth would prevail and that those who have been harmed would be protected and honored.
The Lord loves justice and He sees every wrong done in secret. His word reminds us that He is the defender of the vulnerable and that He establishes authorities to uphold what is right. We are told in Psalm 37:28, For Yahweh loves justice, and does not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever. And in Proverbs 21:15, It is joy to the just to do justice, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity. We also remember Isaiah 1:17, Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Defend the fatherless. Plead for the widow. Harassment and immoral behaviour are sin before a holy God and must be addressed with truth and accountability, not excused or hidden. We rebuke such conduct and pray that it will not be allowed to continue or to harm others again, especially within a university where students should be safe to learn and grow.
We pray together for the three judges who will hear this appeal. Governing authorities are appointed to execute justice, as written in Romans 13:4, for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. He is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. We ask that the Holy Spirit would grant these judges wisdom, discernment and courage to recognize the truth, to weigh the evidence with integrity, and to uphold the conviction if it is just. We pray they will not be swayed by pressure or persuasion, but will judge righteously. As it is written in James 1:5, But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. And in Deuteronomy 16:19, You shall not wrest justice. You shall not respect persons. Neither shall you take a bribe, for a bribe does blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
We also lift up the students and the other victims who have been affected by this crime, including those you know and have been ministering to. We pray that God would give them peace, protection and strength as they await the outcome. The Lord is near to those who have been wounded. Psalm 34:18 says, Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. And Philippians 4:7 promises, And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. We ask that He would guard their hearts from fear and anxiety, that He would surround them with His presence, and that He would bring healing where there has been trauma and confusion. We pray for their continued protection, that the convicted man would not be able to return to the university to continue his harassment or to cause further harm.
We also pray that even the convicted professor would come to a true recognition of his actions and to repentance before God, for God desires that all would turn from sin and find mercy. Yet repentance does not remove the need for earthly accountability, and we pray that accountability would remain.
We notice that your request did not mention the name of Jesus, and we want to gently remind you how precious it is that we can come to the Father only through Him. Jesus said in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. And it is written in Acts 4:12, There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved. It is only by the name of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again, that we have access to God and assurance of salvation. If we have not yet trusted in Him, we are invited to believe on Him, confess our sins, and receive His forgiveness and new life. We pray all these things in His mighty and holy name, for there is no other hope.
So we pray, Father in heaven, we come before You together in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son. We ask that You would let truth shine clearly in this appeal hearing in September. Grant to the three judges wisdom from above, clear discernment to see what is true, and courage to do what is right and to uphold justice. Let the conviction stand if it is according to truth and let accountability be maintained. Protect the university community and keep students safe from further harassment and immoral behaviour. Pour out Your peace that surpasses all understanding upon every victim, give them strength for each day of waiting, and surround them with Your protection and comfort. Lead those who are ministering to them with compassion and wisdom. We trust Your perfect justice and mercy, and we ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
We encourage you to continue to stand in prayer, to support the victims with patient love and biblical counsel, and to trust that God hears the cry of those who seek justice. He will not forsake those who belong to Him. Keep ministering to these students with the hope of the gospel, pointing them to Christ who heals the brokenhearted and who will one day make all things right.
